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Herald Correspondent
The Lotteries and Gaming Board is working with the acceptable and legal elements of the gaming industry to ensure that the industry survives, but that all laws are followed and that reasonable limits are placed on the number of licensed operators.
The board is a regulatory authority for the gaming industry and is established by the Lotteries and Gaming Act. In an interview at the ongoing Zimbabwe Agricultural Show in Harare, board chief executive Dr Misheck Chingozha said: “This year, as the board, we are talking about what makes the gaming industry survive, which is summed up by the theme: ‘Survival of the gaming industry’.
“The gaming industry is defined by casinos, sports betting, raffles, totalisator, lotto and lotteries. The gaming industry has four pillars which allow its existence and survival and these are sustained growth, adaptation, productivity and linkages.”
Dr Chingozha said sustainable growth speaks to the preservation of future generations by saying “no to child gambling and aligning with global gaming standards”.
They are also adopting smart technologies and allowing punters the comfort of playing from wherever they want, he said.
“We want to ensure that we don’t expose people to gambling harm through ensuring that we do not overpopulate gaming within communities,” said Dr Chingozha. “We have also disbursed funds to beneficiaries specified in terms of the Act and we have also assisted walk-in clients with funds for their various ailments.
“We have noted illegal setting up and operations of unlicensed entities, some of which have been accounted for.”
Dr Chingozha said they wished to embrace technology to the extent that their operators will be in a place to engage, interface, apply and renew licenses online with the Board.
Presently, the board is ceased with making it a reality for punters and operators to play at their convenience online.
Online Reporter